No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric)

Noelle never imagined she would see Emma again under these circumstances. She had expected a dramatic scene straight out of a TV drama—Emma, the wealthy socialite, slapping a check on the table and warning her not to dream of climbing the social ladder.

But this? This was something she had not seen coming.

In the end, Noelle did not sign anything and placed the box back on the table. She looked Emma in the eye and said firmly, "You don't have to worry about me and Cedric..."

Emma interrupted gently, "Sweetheart, I'm not asking you to be my goddaughter because of Cedric. I'm his stepmom, and there's only so much I can do about his life. But I genuinely like you."

She could see the wariness in Noelle's eyes and understood why her actions might have come off as suspicious. But she truly wanted to make things right— and more than that, she really did like Noelle.

After learning how badly Noelle had been treated by the Liddells, all Emma wanted was to give her the kind of protection a real family would provide.

Noelle asked, "But I thought you preferred Laura for Cedric, Mrs. Greene."

Emma's expression stiffened before she let out an awkward sigh. "I used to, yes. But that was just wishful thinking on my part-Cedric never agreed to it.

"Don't get the wrong idea about him... all these years, the only girl he's ever had feelings for is you."

Emma could not lie about that. It was just unfortunate that Noelle was that girl back then. She dreaded the day Noelle would find out the full truth about the accident, knowing it would hurt her even more.

Upon hearing Emma's explanation, Noelle's emotions grew complicated. She could not help but wonder if everything Laura had said to her back then was all a lie. Before she could dwell on it further, the door to the private room swung open.

Cedric walked in, his expression stern, followed by a team from TG Public Relations. Noelle was caught off guard. She had not seen or spoken to him since their breakup at the gym. Dressed in a sharp suit with his hair perfectly styled, he looked every bit the successful executive.

Cedric's eyes scanned the room, taking in Noelle's spa robe and the green facial mask still on her face. This was not the scene of a confrontation he had been expecting.

The tension in the room was palpable, and Noelle glanced at him briefly before looking away, unsure of what to say.

Emma stood up, hands on her hips. "What are you doing here? And why did you bring so many people are you here to start a fight?"

Cedric pressed his lips into a thin line. The moment he got Tilly's message, he rushed over without hesitation.

He stepped closer to Noelle, positioning himself protectively beside her, and said, "Mom, I told you not to interfere in Noelle's life."

Emma rolled her eyes. "I'm not

interfering! invited her for a spa day and bought her some gifts. And by the way was just about to tell.

you-want to make Noelle mal ne

goddaughter. You know I've always wanted a daughter, but Magnus turned out to be a boy."

Emma was quite bitter about this matter.

Cedric's expression darkened. "No. That's not happening."

Emma raised an eyebrow. "Why not? You two are broken up, aren't you?"

The word 'broken up' stung, and Cedric shot back, "I never agreed to that, and I never will."

Noelle could only be his girlfriend, not his sister. He added, "If you want a daughter so badly, talk to Dad about having another kid. IVF is an option."

Emma was speechless for a

moment, her face flushed with frustration Meanwhile, Noelle,

watching from the side, was surprised but did not say anything. From the way they talked, Cedric and Emma actually had a good relationship. noveldrama

Emma grabbed Noelle's hand, glared at Cedric, and snapped, "You're the one

who got dumped. Don't blame me for that."

Cedric sighed, exasperated. "I'm working on fixing things. Could you please not make it harder?"

Noelle stood awkwardly between them, wishing they would stop bringing up the breakup as if she were not even there. Moreover, she was supposed to be dealing with a wealthy socialite waving a check in her face.

She secretly grumbled, "Why is nothing going the way I expected?"